Katsuragawa Electric

Basic Information

Stock Code
6416
Industry
Machinery
Category Detail
Information & Communication Equipment
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
April 1945
Listing Year
September 1991
Official Website
http://www.kiphq.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
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Other Companies
Yume Mitsuke Tai , Fujix , FUJIFILM Holdings , Konica Minolta , Riso Kagaku , Brother Industries , Yoshitake , Seiko Epson , Kyocera , Canon Electronics , Canon , Ricoh

Overview

Katsuragawa Electric is a copier manufacturer founded in 1945, specializing in large-format copiers for drafting purposes and also engaged in consumables sales, as a specialist firm in the machinery industry.

Current Situation

Katsuragawa Electric's flagship product is large-format copiers for drafting, holding a stable market share in the office sector. Estimated consolidated sales for fiscal 2023 are around 10 billion yen, maintaining steady growth. Consumables sales are also a key revenue pillar, featuring a high repeat customer rate. Major competitors include major firms such as Canon, Ricoh, and Fujifilm, but it has secured a position in the niche market by capitalizing on its specialization in large-format copiers. In technology development, it focuses on enhancing durability and usability, with progress in quality improvements and the adoption of energy-saving technologies. On the sustainability front, it is advancing resource-recycling consumables development and environmentally friendly processes. In the medium to long term, it is exploring business expansion into IoT-connected devices and the 3D printer field, aiming to pioneer new markets and bolster existing operations. Overseas expansion is limited, with a primary focus on strengthening its domestic base targeting SMEs and design offices. Moving forward, it seeks to sustain competitiveness through the launch of DX-compatible products and flexible adaptation to diversifying customer needs.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • One of Japan's leading long-established manufacturers specializing in drafting copiers.
  • Focuses on specialized markets different from general-purpose copiers.
  • Provides one-stop consumables sales and recycling.
  • Headquartered in Tokyo with over 80 years of history since founding.
  • Strong support from design offices due to highly evaluated product durability.
  • Supplied copiers to many domestic design offices.
  • Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 1991, maintaining a stable financial base.
  • Established an integrated system from manufacturing to maintenance.
  • Boasts high technological prowess in the large-format copier field.
  • Early adoption of environmentally friendly product development.
  • Inheriting unique drafting copier technology.
  • Recognized as a core company in Japan's niche domestic market.
  • Planning and providing dedicated models for mechanical designers.
  • Consumables collection rate significantly exceeds industry average.
  • Reputation for prompt user support.

Hidden Connections

  • Collaborates with major design office associations on joint technology development.
  • Parts procurement and technical exchanges with related companies Fujix and Yoshitake.
  • Partners with local environmental conservation groups to promote recycling.
  • Participates in standard specifications development through technology exchanges with major competitors.
  • Conducts regular market needs surveys for design industry copiers.
  • Awarded in Tokyo's SME support initiatives.
  • Holds numerous patents for drafting equipment technologies.
  • Joint research with experts on environmentally friendly product development.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Advancements in response to digitalization needs in drafting and design markets
  • Increasing market demand for energy-saving products
  • Expansion of demand for eco-consumables due to stricter environmental regulations
  • Expansion of technology investments in IoT-linked products
  • Stable copier demand from small and medium design offices
  • Improved social evaluation of recycling business
  • Progress in drafting 3D printer technology development
  • Differentiation through strengthened after-sales service framework
  • Maintenance of solid customer base in domestic market
  • Promotion of new customer acquisition and business diversification strategies
  • Enhanced integration with DX support tools
  • Ongoing capture of government and public office markets

Strategic Goals

  • Maintain top domestic market share in drafting equipment
  • Achieve 80% consumables recycling rate as environmental burden reduction target
  • Make IoT-compatible copier series a mainstay
  • Achieve 20% sales composition from new businesses
  • Systematize and establish employee environmental education
  • Expand R&D expenses to over 5% of sales
  • Initiate test overseas market expansion in medium to long term
  • Build technology innovation community through regional collaborations
  • Expand product lines that reduce paper usage
  • Expand regional community support activities

Business Segments

Equipment Sales to Drafting and Design Offices

Overview
Provides high-performance copiers and related services tailored to design sites.
Competitiveness
Bundled proposals of drafting-specialized products and consumables
Customers
  • Architectural design firms
  • Civil engineering design companies
  • Design departments of manufacturing firms
  • Architecture divisions of government offices
Products
  • Large-format drafting copiers
  • Large printers
  • Copier consumables
  • Digital multifunction devices

Multifunction Device Services for Offices

Overview
Comprehensive services supporting office printing and copying environments.
Competitiveness
Rapid support network rooted in local communities
Customers
  • SMEs
  • Government offices
  • Educational institutions
  • Printing companies
Products
  • Digital multifunction devices
  • Copier consumables
  • Maintenance services

Consumables Recycling Services

Overview
Offers environmentally friendly consumables recycling services.
Competitiveness
High collection rate and quality assurance
Customers
  • Copier users in general
  • Recycling companies
  • Environmental groups
Products
  • Used toner collection
  • Recycled toner supply
  • Waste management

New Technology Development and Research Support

Overview
Supports technological innovation through cutting-edge research equipment provision.
Competitiveness
Proprietary technologies specialized for design operations
Customers
  • Industry-academia collaboration institutions
  • R&D departments of client companies
Products
  • 3D printer prototype devices
  • IoT copier test machines

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Technological expertise specialized in large-format drafting copiers
  • Consumables sales system closely attuned to customer needs
  • High product durability and reliability
  • Local community-rooted service network
  • Solid management and long history

Competitive Advantages

  • Stable revenue from high market share in niche segments
  • Deployment of unique drafting-specialized product lineup
  • Provision of consumables recycling and eco-friendly products
  • Prompt after-sales service and technical support
  • Precise response to specialized needs of design offices

Threats

  • Intensifying price competition with major copier manufacturers
  • Declining demand for paper media due to digitalization
  • Price offensives from overseas competitors
  • Market share erosion from delays in technological innovation
  • Increased product improvement costs due to stricter environmental regulations

Innovations

2023: Development of New Energy-Saving Large-Format Copier Series

Overview
Launched an eco-model that reduces power consumption by approximately 20% compared to conventional models.
Impact
Contributes to reducing customer environmental burden and costs.

2022: Expansion of Environmentally Friendly Copier Consumables

Overview
Introduced toner cartridges utilizing recycled materials.
Impact
Enhanced competitiveness in the environmental market.

2021: Prototype Development of IoT-Enabled Drafting Copiers

Overview
Completed test machines equipped with remote monitoring and status management functions.
Impact
Significantly improved maintenance efficiency.

2020: Digitalization of Copier Parts Replacement Services

Overview
Introduced a digital system for managing parts replacement history.
Impact
Improved customer satisfaction and work efficiency.

Sustainability

  • Promotion of recycled materials use from the product design stage
  • Optimization of production processes to reduce waste
  • Strengthening collection systems to improve consumables recycling rate
  • Standardization and promotion of energy-saving copiers
  • Introduction of eco-labels explicitly indicating reduced environmental impact
  • Implementation of environmental education programs for employees
  • Participation in local government environmental conservation activities
  • Advancement of sustainable supply chain management
  • Support for promoting digital documents to reduce paper usage
  • Regular measurement and reporting of CO2 emissions